Cold Advisory for Newborn Livestock

According to research and feedback from the ranching community, there is an increased risk of problems or death to exposed newborns during situations of wind chill, rain or wet snow, high humidity (because it makes it more difficult for wet newborns to dry off), or a combination of these elements.

Across the United States it has been estimated that nearly 100,000 calves die of cold stress each year. Because of this, the National Weather Service has researched and discovered that the normal forecast can be implemented in order to watch the impact on newborn livestock. Newborn livestock, less than 24 hours old, are most susceptible as they are least able to regulate their body.

While it has been running experimentally for the last five years, the Cold Advisory for Newborn Livestock (CANL) system is up and running. In the winter of 2008-2009, National Weather Service in Glasgow was the first office to run this system. Due to significant livestock losses in other areas of the high plains during the winter of 2008-2009, additional offices joined the experimental test period for the following winters.

The CANL uses maps to indicate weather conditions dangerous to newborn livestock, especially calves. The criteria for the index were derived from interviews with ranchers and from scientific research on the topic.

The system and the information on how it works can be seen at: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/ggw/canl/canl.html.

In Montana weather-related calf losses cost producers more than $6 million a year. This project is an essential step toward helping livestock producers to reduce winter weather-related losses.

For more information please contact Tanja Fransen at: 406-228-2850 or [email protected].